Lionel Messi and Inter Miami kick off their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign this afternoon when they host Mexico’s Atlas at Chase Stadium in Matchday 1 of the group stage, in a group that also includes Necaxa and Pumas. The Herons are aiming to go further than last year, when they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Columbus Crew.
Inter Miami enter the matchup coming off a scoreless draw against FC Cincinnati in MLS play, a result that leaves them fifth in the standings with 42 points — but with three games in hand on most of their rivals. Atlas arrive in Florida after a 3-1 defeat to Monterrey in Liga MX, sitting ninth in the table with four points from just three matches.
The big news for Javier Mascherano’s side is the availability of new signing Rodrigo De Paul. Inter Miami’s official website confirmed that the midfielder, acquired from Atletico Madrid, has been cleared to play. This could mark De Paul’s first appearance alongside Messi at the club level, as the two have only previously shared the field for Argentina’s national team.
“Inter Miami CF’s newest signing, Argentine international midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, is now available for team selection, as El Motorcito has been cleared to start his engines and grace the pitch at Chase Stadium for the first time upon receiving his P-1 Visa and ITC,” the article read on Inter Miami’s official website.
Inter Miami’s confirmed lineup
With the recent news of Rodrigo De Paul’s availability, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano will start the Argentine midfielder as the Herons aim to kick off their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign on the right foot.
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Inter Miami’s confirmed starting XI against Atlas will be: Rocco Rios Novo; Marcelo Weigandt, Gonzalo Lujan, Maximiliano Falcon, Jordi Alba; Tadeo Allende, Rodrigo De Paul, Sergio Busquets, Telasco Segovia; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez.
Atlas’ confirmed lineup
After a difficult start to their Liga MX campaign, Atlas will look to reset and open the 2025 Leagues Cup in Miami on a positive note. Head coach Gonzalo Pineda will field his strongest possible XI, which will be:
Camilo Vargas; Matheus Doria, Gaddi Aguirre, Rober Pier; Gustavo Ferrareis, Sergio Hernandez, Aldo Rocha, Jorge Rodriguez; Eduardo Aguirre, Uros Djurdjevic, Diego Gonzalez.
